LOS ANGELES — With his powerful swing and explosive performance, Mookie Betts is often considered the heartbeat of the Dodgers. But few know that behind that gold glove is a heart that was once broken — by an unspoken goodbye, a loved one gone forever, leaving a void that nothing can fill.

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In March 2022, as the Dodgers were preparing for the new season, Mookie suddenly withdrew from several practice sessions without specific notice. A few days later, fans learned the truth: Mookie’s grandfather – the person who first nurtured his passion for baseball – had suddenly passed away.

“I didn’t get to say a final thank you. He was the reason I played. He was the first person to take me out there, throw me my first softball, and say, ‘Don’t be afraid, just love it.’”

— Mookie choked up in an interview with ESPN.

During the funeral, Mookie wrote a long letter to his grandfather — intended to read it after the first game of the season as a tribute. But he passed away early, and the letter never reached its intended recipient.

“I kept it in my locker, and I looked at it before every game. It was my way of keeping him close.”

Betts returned to the Dodgers’ lineup after two weeks, not saying much about his absence. But those who paid attention noticed: he no longer celebrated after each home run like before. He just looked up, put his hand over his heart — as if his grandfather was still watching his every move.

And then in the Father’s Day game, Mookie hit a leadoff homerun in the ninth inning — the first he dedicated to his grandfather. After the game, he burst into tears on the field when asked about that swing.

“It’s for him. I hear him calling my name like he used to…”

Coach Dave Roberts said in a press conference:

“Mookie was more than just a great player, he was a loving person. And we’re proud to be his family.”

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The entire Dodgers team wore “Pops” — Mookie’s grandfather’s nickname — on their armbands as a sign of their condolences.

You may only see Mookie Betts in the highlights, the crazy runs, the amazing base sliding. But behind the No. 50 jersey is a grandson, a son — still learning to love life again after losing a part of his soul.